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European Jazz Conference 2018

By IAN PATTERSON

European Jazz Conference 2018 Centro Cultural de Belém jny: Lisbon, Portugal September 13-15, 2018 It was on the very edge of South-Western Europe, in Lisbon, that the European Jazz Conference celebrated its fifth annual gathering. The three hundred plus delegates from thirty five countries who convened in the Centro Cultural de Belém represented a record attendance for the largest, functioning jazz network in the world. In essence, the European Jazz Conference unites member organisations ...

UNT One O'Clock Lab Band: Lab 2018, The Rhythm of the Road

By JACK BOWERS

Another year, another excellent recording from the University of North Texas' flagship ensemble, the One O'Clock Lab Band, which has been producing similarly impressive albums for more than four decades. Unlike many of its predecessors, Lab 2018 has a subtitle, “The Rhythm of the Road," a nod to the band's twenty-eight concerts in a dozen cities and four states in the year leading up to the recording sessions in May 2018. As usual, the music and musicianship are beyond reproach; ...

Los Angeles Jazz Institute Festival - Woodchopper's Ball: Part 4-4

By SIMON PILBROW

Los Angeles Jazz Institute Festival “Woodchoppers' Ball" Four Points by Sheraton at LAX Los Angeles, CA May 23-27, 2018 Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 Panel 3: Cousins -Moderated by Ken Borgers Moderated by Ken Borgers, this panel featured Woody Herman alumni from the last phase of Woody's band and life, the 1980s. These were trumpeters Ron Stout and Mark Lewis, saxophonists Mike Brignola, Jerry ...

Marcin Wasilewski Trio: Live

By MIKE JURKOVIC

Recorded by Flemish radio in Antwerp 2016 without the trio's knowledge, this accidental live disc not only delivers to followers of this long-lived Polish unit an essential live document, it washes over newcomers like a cresting baptismal wave that never stops cleansing the soul and senses. Nearing thirty years as a unit--they also served as the late trumpeter Tomasz Stanko's adventurous rhythm section from 2001-2006)--the ability of pianist Marcin Wasilewski, double bassist Slawomir Kurkiewicz and drummer Michal Miskiewicz ...

Liran Donin's 1000 Boats: 8 Songs

By ROGER FARBEY

The virtuosic bass solo that opens “I Can See Tarifa" is the prelude to a dynamic ensemble vamp, unleashing torrents of unbridled saxophone . “The Story Of Annette And Maurice" is more reflective and utilises the twin horns in close harmony and Donin's pizzicato bass duetting with Maria Chiara Argirò's piano. The piece gradually picks-up momentum and volume resolving in a crescendo of sound before fading into a wistful piano outro. “Tel Aviv To Ramallah" is suitably dramatic ...

Kip Hanrahan, Ingrid Jensen and other great new releases

By LUDOVICO GRANVASSU

The bonanza of new releases goes on. So let's dive right in and find out more about the much-awaited return of Kip Hanrahan; music inspired by fictional or real whales (courtesy of David Crowell & Simon Jermyn and Garth Stevenson); a heart-felt Kenny Wheeler Tribute by Ingrid Jensen and Steve Treseler, the second installment of Nicole Johänntgen's New Orleans travelogue, a new trio by Wayne Horvitz and the intriguing blend of piano and Maori traditional instruments by Tania Giannouli and ...

Christian Sands: Facing Dragons

By CHRIS MOSEY

Christian Sands is already being hailed as the greatest jazz pianist of his generation. The question now is will he follow in the footsteps of piano virtuosos like Art Tatum, Oscar Peterson and Errol Garner and concentrate on keyboard fireworks? Or will he choose other outlets for his immense talent, DownBeat magazine seemingly paving the way for this by lauding him as “an imaginative composer" and “clever arranger." Sands, born on May 22 1989, grew up in ...

Ground Music Festival 2018

By LUCIANO ROSSETTI

Terence Blanchard: Music, Social Justice and Raising Awareness About Violence Against Black People

By CHRISTINE PASSARELLA

A few years ago, I was applauding as the cast of Motown was taking their bows on Broadway when I recognized a mother's face sitting across my row. Without question or trepidation, I felt compelled to say something, hopefully comforting, to Sybrina Fulton, the mother of Trayvon Martin. In addition to my heartfelt condolences for the tragic violent death of her son, I told her about my Kids for Coltrane work, and she smiled with warmth and an appreciation hearing ...

Caleb Wheeler Curtis: Brothers

By DAN BILAWSKY

Brotherhood comes in multiple forms--genetic, fraternal, and professional, to mention the most applicable--but all are bound by a sense of fellow feeling and shared experience(s). That truth rests at the heart of this, saxophonist Caleb Wheeler Curtis' debut album. The obvious nods to brotherhood here come in the form of this album's title, its freewheeling and mercurial title track, and a cover photo showing the leader (on the left) and his younger brother, Nico, as children. But ...